TOEIC Listening Part 4（説明文問題）の解き方：メッセージの対象、変更点、聞き手がすべきことをつかむ

TOEIC Listening Part 4（Talks）では、一人の話し手による留守番電話のメッセージ、アナウンス、トークを聞き、問題用紙に印刷された3問に答えます。設問の多くは、誰に向けた話か、なぜ話しているか、何が変わったか、聞き手が次に何をすべきかを問います。前の予定と新しい予定を分け、変わらない情報はそのまま残し、必要な行動と任意の手助けを区別しましょう。この記事はB1以上の受験者向けです。

この記事が向いている人

Part 4のトークはほぼ理解できるのに、話し手が変更を伝えても前の予定を選んでしまうTOEIC受験者。
聞き手がしなければならないことと、申し出られただけの手助けを混同してしまう方。
同じ力を仕事でも使いたい方：留守番電話、アナウンス、変更連絡のメールを受けて正しく動く力です。
まだ早い：二人の会話でも速すぎると感じるなら、先にPart 3（Conversations）を練習しましょう。
簡単すぎる：トークに楽についていけるなら、Reading Part 5（Incomplete Sentences）に進みましょう。

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Personal · a missed update

Have you ever missed an important change, like a new time, place or deadline? What happened?

Useful: ‘I didn’t realize that… had changed.’ · ‘It was mentioned in…, but…’ · ‘Now I always…’

Work and society · action or reason first

In a message to staff, is it better to put the action first or the reason first? Why?

Useful: ‘If I were writing it, I’d…’ · ‘People are more likely to… if…’ · ‘The downside is that…’

会話

This is a collection update for customers who ordered seedling trays from Green Lane Garden Centre. Your confirmation originally said to collect orders from the outdoor loading area on Thursday. Because heavy rain is expected, collections will now take place inside the greenhouse on Friday. The collection hours remain nine in the morning to one in the afternoon. Please use the side entrance beside the bicycle racks; the main shop entrance will be closed for floor repairs. Your order number has not changed. If Friday is impossible for you, reply to this message by Wednesday evening and we will arrange a Saturday collection. Please do not arrive on Thursday.

文の形

1
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
The session ______ from the main hall to the new workshop, and the change had been announced.
答えと解説を見る
had been moved
Someone moved the session before that Monday, so we use the past perfect passive: had been + past participle.
2
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
It began: “As many of you know, the main hall ______ redecorated this spring, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience.”
答えと解説を見る
is being
The work is in progress and done by others, so we use the present continuous passive: is being + past participle.
3
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Only in the third paragraph did it mention the new room, and it never said clearly that the time ______ the same.
答えと解説を見る
had stayed
Had + past participle (stayed) reports what was true before the reading in the past.
4
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
A revised notice might read: “For all warehouse staff: Monday’s safety training ______ to the new workshop.
答えと解説を見る
moves
Notices often use the present simple for a scheduled change: the training moves. Third person singular takes -s.
5
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
You ______ sign the attendance list by Friday.
答えと解説を見る
must
Must + base verb states a required action. There is no to after must.
6
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Lunch is provided; you ______ reply about it.
答えと解説を見る
do not have to
Do not have to means the action is optional. Must not would mean replying is not allowed.
7
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Anything optional goes at the end and ______ as optional.
答えと解説を見る
is labeled
The writer labels the optional part, so the passive is used: is + past participle.

追加の練習

Listen and answer

1
What is the new standard collection arrangement?
答えと解説を見る
Friday inside the greenhouse
The updated plan is Friday inside the greenhouse; Saturday is only an arranged alternative.
2
Which collection hours still apply?
答えと解説を見る
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The speaker says the hours remain nine in the morning to one in the afternoon.
3
What should a customer do if Friday is impossible?
答えと解説を見る
Reply by Wednesday evening to arrange Saturday
The message gives a Wednesday-evening reply deadline for arranging Saturday collection.

A revised collection notice

Which details changed and which stayed the same?

The collection moves from Thursday outdoors to Friday inside the greenhouse. The hours and order number stay the same.

The message explicitly changes the day and location while retaining the nine-to-one collection window and order number.

Strategy

Mark the earlier plan as background when it is corrected.
Listen for the current time, place and reason together.
Do not change a detail that the speaker says remains the same.

Change a plan clearly

Create a starting plan

Choose a service, item or appointment.
Set your own day, time window and location.

Create the update

Choose a plausible reason to change the day and place.
Keep the time window unchanged.
Offer one alternative and a reply deadline.

Listen and answer

1
What is the customer asked to do next?
答えと解説を見る
Reply about delivery availability
The requested next action is to reply by noon tomorrow to confirm availability or give alternatives.
2
What should be included if Tuesday afternoon is unsuitable?
答えと解説を見る
Two alternative afternoon dates
The speaker asks for two alternative afternoon dates in that case.
3
What optional help is offered?
答えと解説を見る
A short demonstration of the new gear controls
The driver can provide an optional demonstration lasting about ten minutes.

A message about a delivery appointment

Hello, this is a message from Northbank Cycle Co-operative about the delivery of the cargo bicycle you ordered. The bicycle has passed its final assembly check, and we are offering delivery on Tuesday between two and four in the afternoon. Please reply by noon tomorrow to confirm that someone will be at your address. If that time is unsuitable, include two alternative afternoon dates in your reply. There is no need to call the workshop unless you have a technical question about the bicycle. If you would like a short demonstration of the new gear controls, the driver can provide one when the bicycle arrives. The demonstration is optional and adds about ten minutes. The delivery fee has already been paid.

What is required, and what is optional?

The customer must reply by noon tomorrow about delivery availability. A demonstration of the gear controls is optional.

The message uses a clear reply deadline for the required action and explicitly labels the demonstration optional.

Strategy

Find what the listener must do next.
Separate a required action from optional assistance.
Track deadlines and conditions that affect the response.

Reply to a service message

Service choices

Delivery of a repaired lamp, a borrowed projector, or a flat-pack display stand.
Choose an afternoon delivery window and reply deadline.
Offer one optional explanation or setup demonstration.

Listener choice

Accept the proposed window or give two alternatives.
Accept or decline the optional help politely.
Confirm that both sides understand the arrangement.

Changes, rules and options in the article

1
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
The session ______ from the main hall to the new workshop, and the change had been announced.
答えと解説を見る
had been moved
Someone moved the session before that Monday, so we use the past perfect passive: had been + past participle.
2
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
It began: “As many of you know, the main hall ______ redecorated this spring, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience.”
答えと解説を見る
is being
The work is in progress and done by others, so we use the present continuous passive: is being + past participle.
3
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Only in the third paragraph did it mention the new room, and it never said clearly that the time ______ the same.
答えと解説を見る
had stayed
Had + past participle (stayed) reports what was true before the reading in the past.
4
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
A revised notice might read: “For all warehouse staff: Monday’s safety training ______ to the new workshop.
答えと解説を見る
moves
Notices often use the present simple for a scheduled change: the training moves. Third person singular takes -s.
5
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
You ______ sign the attendance list by Friday.
答えと解説を見る
must
Must + base verb states a required action. There is no to after must.
6
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Lunch is provided; you ______ reply about it.
答えと解説を見る
do not have to
Do not have to means the action is optional. Must not would mean replying is not allowed.
7
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the text.
Anything optional goes at the end and ______ as optional.
答えと解説を見る
is labeled
The writer labels the optional part, so the passive is used: is + past participle.

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Part 4の仕組み

Part 4にはトークが10あり、それぞれに3問ずつ設問があります。トークは一度だけ流れ、印刷されていませんが、設問と四つの選択肢は問題用紙にあります。図表が付くセットや、引用された表現で話し手が何を意図しているかを問う設問もあります。よく出る設問：

対象：“Who most likely are the listeners?”
目的：“Why is the speaker calling?”
変更：“What has been changed?”
行動：“What are listeners asked to do?”

練習のメッセージ：変更された受け取りの予定

スクリプトを見ずに一度聞いて答え、そのあともう一度聞いて根拠を探しましょう。

Speaker This is a collection update for customers who ordered seedling trays from Green Lane Garden Centre. Your confirmation originally said to collect orders from the outdoor loading area on Thursday. Because heavy rain is expected, collections will now take place inside the greenhouse on Friday. The collection hours remain nine in the morning to one in the afternoon. Please use the side entrance beside the bicycle racks; the main shop entrance will be closed for floor repairs. Your order number has not changed. If Friday is impossible for you, reply to this message by Wednesday evening and we will arrange a Saturday collection. Please do not arrive on Thursday.

注文品は今、いつ、どこで受け取りますか？

対象と目的

話し手はたいてい最初に対象と目的を言います。“This is a collection update for customers who ordered seedling trays”で両方がわかります。目的を問う設問の誤答は、背景の情報を繰り返していることがよくあります。床の修理は、正面入口が閉まる理由を説明しているだけです。聞き取りたい出だし：

“This message is for…”、“Attention, all passengers…”：対象。
“I’m calling about…”、“I’d like to remind everyone…”：目的。
“Welcome to those joining us for the first time”：より限られた対象。

前、今、変わらないもの

変更の連絡には三つの層があります。前の予定、新しい予定、そして変わらないものです。誤答は前の予定を繰り返したり、話し手が変えていない情報を変えたりします。理由も問われます。“Because heavy rain is expected”は“Why was the collection moved?”の答えです。

前：“originally”、“was scheduled for”。ここでは木曜日、屋外。
今：“will now”、“has been moved to”、“instead”。ここでは金曜日、温室の中。
変わらない：“remain”、“has not changed”、“still”。ここでは9時から1時までの受け取り時間と注文番号。

必須か、条件付きか、任意か？

“What are listeners asked to do?”と“What does the speaker offer?”は別の設問です。必要な行動は依頼や決まりとして、多くは期限付きで伝えられ、任意の手助けはもっと柔らかく言われます。条件付きの行動もあります。金曜日に来られない客だけが返信します。日本語の「までに」と「まで」の区別は英語にもあります。“by Wednesday evening”は「水曜の夕方までに」という期限、“until”は「〜まで」続く状態です。

この留守番電話のメッセージを分けてみましょう：“Please collect your new laptop from the IT desk by Thursday. If you’d like help moving your files, you can book a short session.”

必須：“Please…”、“You need to…”。ここでは木曜日までにノートパソコンを受け取ること。
条件付き：“If…, please…”。条件に当てはまる聞き手だけが行動します。
任意：“If you’d like…”、“Feel free to…”。ここではファイル移行のセッション。

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変更と決まりの文法

最後の行に注意しましょう。“must not”は禁止、“don’t have to”は義務がないという意味です。「〜してはいけない」と「〜しなくてもいい」の違いにあたります。

“The meeting has been moved to Room 4.” 現在完了の受動態：変更はすでに済んでいて、誰がしたかは重要ではありません。
“The main hall is being redecorated.” 現在進行形の受動態：進行中の作業で、変更の理由になることが多い形です。
“Monday’s training moves to the new workshop.” 予定された変更を表す現在形。
“You must sign the list”（必須）、“You must not park here”（禁止）、“You don’t have to reply”（任意）。

よくある間違い

点を落とす習慣：

先に聞こえたからといって、前の予定を選ぶこと。
話し手が変えていない情報、たとえば受け取り時間を変えてしまうこと。
任意の手助けを、しなければならないことだと思うこと。
条件を聞き逃すこと：“If Friday is impossible…”は一部の聞き手だけに当てはまります。
“don’t have to”を“must not”の意味で受け取ること。

20分の試験対策ルーティン

1日に録音メッセージを一つ使います。

先に3問を読み、それぞれ対象、目的、変更、行動のどれを問うかに印を付けます。
一度聞いて答え、前・今・変わらないものに分けてメモします。
スクリプトを見ながらもう一度聞き、行動ごとに必須、条件付き、任意の印を付けます。
トークを一文でまとめます：“Collection moves to Friday in the greenhouse, same hours; reply by Wednesday if you can’t come.”
週に2回、声に出して意見を言いましょう。社員へのメッセージは行動と理由のどちらを先に書くべきでしょうか？（“If I were writing it, I’d…”）

次に練習すること

二人の会話をまだ聞き逃すなら、Part 3に戻りましょう。トークについていけるなら、Reading Part 5に進み、そのあと案内文が条件を文字で示すPart 7に進みましょう。

よくある質問

TOEIC Listening Part 4は何問ありますか？

30問です。トークが10あり、それぞれに3問ずつあります。トークは一度だけ流れます。

トークの前に設問を読むべきですか？

はい。各セットに素早く答え、残った時間で次の3問を読みましょう。

TOEIC Listening Part 3とPart 4の違いは何ですか？

Part 3は2〜3人の会話、Part 4は一人の話し手によるメッセージ、アナウンス、トークです。

次の練習を探す

FlalingoはTOEICを運営する団体と提携しておらず、これらの団体から推奨を受けていません。

TOEIC Listening Part 4（説明文問題）の解き方：メッセージの対象、変更点、聞き手がすべきことをつかむ

この記事が向いている人

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単語カード

会話

文の形

追加の練習

Listen and answer

A revised collection notice

Change a plan clearly

Listen and answer

A message about a delivery appointment

Reply to a service message

Changes, rules and options in the article

Part 4の仕組み

練習のメッセージ：変更された受け取りの予定

対象と目的

前、今、変わらないもの

必須か、条件付きか、任意か？

変更と決まりの文法

よくある間違い

20分の試験対策ルーティン

次に練習すること

よくある質問

次の練習を探す

次は何をしましょうか？

Flaiで練習を続けよう

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